Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-06-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.


WASHINGTON. June 3rd, 1887.
II does not require IN extended alb
sence from this city to note the unpre-
ce,lented march OF improvement ap-
parent everywhere to the casual obser-
yer. Public works vic with private
enterprise in the adornmcnt OF the
capital.
The clean. smooth streets, embOw-
cred with luxuriant shade trees, with
here and there beautiful park to re-
lieve the monotony:-theseb being orna-
mented by either "A statue in bronze or
marble, II fountain, or tastefully ar
ranged beds OF coleii or flowers: while
on every side architectural skill exerts
itself in reproducing facslmiles OF elias
steal and medieval art, and of the
modern renaissance. in the mansions
OF the rich. and the less prctentiOus.
but none the less charming dwellings
Of The rlas Of moderate .neans,-nlto-
gcther compose an entrancins picture
Localities that we were accustomed
to associate with dreary wastes OF
common, and stagnant pools, given
! over to the frolicsome antics OF the
irisky goat, and the digniiied waddle
OF the more sedate gander, who con
tested the right of occupancy with the
everpresent hoopskirt and tomato
can,-these uninspiring spots are now
transformed into beautiful rows ol
aest hetically designed houses, or NOR,
picturesque cottages with pretty land
scape effects Thus the cultivation o
the beautiful is proved TO keep pace
with the true and the good in our do
nlestic environment.
With each year the number OF pil
grims to this Mecca OF America increas
es; Mt first the happy bridal couple
inspired by the promptings ofthe littl
god, came; next, the prlnI teacher will
her following OF merry school girls, tn
former bent solely upon the search TO
mental pabulum for her charmin
brood, the latter, perhaps. dividin
this commendable pursuit with Il dc
termination to have n real good tim'
after "a while the wealthy class OF lei'
ure and culture made the discover
that it was the proper thing to do I
pay visit to the social as well as pc
litiral centre, before the final depar'
:. ure for the summer to the seaside G
mountain resort. And so the isolate
excursion party developed into tf
J. social custom. and it has mt length b
:, come fashionable for Baltimore. Phili
e delphia, New York. and Boston, an
] even Chicago, TO send yearly their qn'
ia to this attractive resort for wealth
intelligence and refinement.
. The want OF n proper conception,
= the average tourist, OF the operation
OF this gigantic government. L. Vel
apparent. The several department
which are but the vast counting bous'
OF the nation, are IA never ending sour
of wonder TO the uninitiated. Whi
so many people find to do, and the
certainly do have the appearance
!. being busily engaged at something,
the first thing that impresse, II
stranger.
Multiply the force employed by al
OF our largest business establishment
by number which will represent Il
greater extent OF the government
transactions, rs compared with tho
/. OF the private business house, and W
will form an approximate idea nj Il
reeds of the service.
n An illustration OF the point referr'
to was given during the late nation
drill week, as related by an eInplo
OF the navy department. \ party
visitors, OF apparently more than
~ dinary intelligence, bed by a lady VI
was also spokeswoman, came 10 0
OF the offices OF the paymaster cenei
o: the navy, who is chic: OF the bure
- r-ori io-e snd c'o-hirr ard nqk